Lap-board.



No. 696,044. Patented Mar. 25, |902.

- W. R. HOFFMANN.

LAP BOARD (Application filed Hay 4. 1901.)

(No Model.)

UNITED TaTns PATENT FFICE.

WILLlAM'R. HOFFMANN, OF S'l. JOSEPH, MISSOURI.

LAP-BOARD.

SPECIFICAION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,044, dated March 25, 1902.

Application filed May 4. 1901.

Figure lis a plan view of my improved lap board as it appears when in its extended position ready for use. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the board as it appears when folded, so as to take up but a minimum amount of space in a valise or the like. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the strips or devices for rendering the board stiff or rigid throughout its length. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the modified devices for the same purpose.

Referring by letter to the said drawings,and more particularly to Figs. 1 to -Lt thereof, AA are the sections of my improved foldable board. These sections may be made of pasteboard, Wood, or other materialsuitable to the purpose and of any suitable size, and four (more or less) of them may be employed, although I prefer to use the former number. The intermediate sections areby preference provided at their end edges with protective coverings, of tin or other suitable sheet metal a, and the end sections are provided at their end edges and also at their outer longitudinal edges with similar protective coverings b, also of tin or other suitable sheet metal. 'The contiguous edges of the sections are iexibly connected by strips cof textile fabric, leather, or other suitable material.J and in the preferred embodiment of the invention the said fiexible strips are countersunk in the sides of the sections, as shown in Fig. 2, this in order to render the sides of the board smooth and free from projections throughout the length and Width thereof.

B B are strips, of channel form, Which are designed to be applied to the opposite edges Serial No. 58,777. (No model.)

of the board and bridge the joints between the sections A after the manner shown in Fig. l, so as to render the board stiff and rigid throughout its length and hold it against casual iiexing or folding. The said strips are of tin or other suitable sheet metal possessed of resiliency.

In the practice of my invention when it is desired to fold the board the strips B are removed from the opposite longitudinal edge thereof and are applied to the outer transverse edges of the end sections A, as shown in Fig. 3, after which the board maybe compactly folded, as also shown in the said figure, so that it Will take up but a minimum amount of space in a valise or the like. When it is desired to use the lap-board, it is simplynecessary for the operator to open the board into the position shown in Fig. l, remove the strips B from the end sections A, and apply said strips to the opposite longitudinal edges of the board', so as to enable them to bridge the joints between the several sections, when the board Will be rendered stiff and rigid throughout its length and level, throughout both its length and Width, so as to afford a good surface upon which to play cards or other games, write, or Work. The strips B are possessed of resiliency and are either sprung upon the opposite longitudinal edges of the board or else applied endwise thereto. In either case they will by virtue of their resiliency not be liable to casual movement or displacement when once properly placed in position.

My improved board is designed more particularly for the use of travelers, and. in this connection is advantageous, because when a traveler desires to play cards or the like in a car he has but to remove the folded device fronrhis valise and open and secure the device in its open position after the manner described, when it is ready for use, and is calculated to afford a light support for cards and the like. v

Because of its simplicity and consequent cheapness the device is susceptible of being used to advantage as an advertising medium, and when it is so used inscriptions of suitable character lmay be placed upon one or both sides of the sections either before or after the same are connected together.

IOS

In lieu of the strips B a larger number of strips B of shorter length maybe employed. Said strips B', one of which is shown in Fig. 5, are of a length suiiicient to enable them to bridge the joint between two sections and render the connection of said section stiff and rigid. When the board embraces four sections, as shown, it will be appreciated that six of the strips B must be employed.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The herein-described lap-board consisting essentially of the plurality of sections having the conntersinks in their sides and at their edges, the strips c of textile material arranged in said countersinks and connected to the sections and flexibly connecting said sections together so as to permit of them being folded 2o one upon the other, protective sheet-metal coverings on the end edges and outerside edges of the end sections, similar coverings on the end edges of the intermediate sections, and resilient sheet-metal strips ef channel form; the said resilient strips being adapted in use to straddle the opposite longitudinal edges of the board and bridge the joints between the sections, and, when not in use, to be similarly applied to the transverse or outer side edges of the end sections, and being also adapted by reason of their resiliency to hold themselves against casualdisplacement from said edges of the sections.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

XVILLIAM R. HOFFMANN.

Witnesses:

ToBIAs LARsoN, JOHN A. FRENCH. 

